Whether you’re making a plan for college after high school graduation or thinking about returning to school after a few years in the workforce, choosing a college program can be challenging. Your college studies will significantly impact your career options, making it crucial you choose a program suited to your interests.
For aspiring medical professionals, choosing a college program can be daunting because of the range of options. Healthcare workers can pursue administrative roles, become medical test specialists, or provide direct patient care. In recent years, there’s been a substantial increase in demand for nurse practitioners (NPs). An NP can be a family nurse practitioner (FNP), adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP), or psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). Read on to learn about the reasons you should consider completing a PMHNP program.
What is a PMHNP?
A PMHNP is a mental health professional. PMHNPs diagnose and treat patients with a range of mental health issues, including bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety, and depression. PMHNPs also work with patients with substance abuse issues. PMHNPs may work at in-patient programs, hospitals, or medical offices.
PMHNPs are in demand.
There’s a growing demand in the healthcare field for many medical professionals, including PMHNPs. The aging population contributes to the increasing need for qualified healthcare providers who can diagnose and treat patients. More people are being diagnosed with mental illnesses than ever before, fueling the need for PMHNPs.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that nurse practitioners should see a 52 percent job growth rate between 2019 and 2029. You’ll have strong job prospects after you graduate from a PMHNP program.
PMHNPs earn high salaries.
PMHNPs earn substantial salaries. The BLS reports that the median annual income for all nurse practitioners was $111,680 as of May 2020. This is a significant increase over the median annual income for registered nurses (RNs). The BLS reports the average income for an RN was $75,330 in May 2020.
PMHNPs help patients.
PMHNPs make a significant difference in their patients’ lives. They use a combination of traditional, medicinal, and holistic treatment methods. These practitioners prioritize patient-centered therapy and improve their patient’s quality of life.
What does a PMHNP degree program cover?
PMHNPs must earn a master of science (MSN) degree focusing on psychiatric and mental health care. To qualify for a master’s degree program, applicants usually have a bachelor’s degree and one year of clinical experience as an RN. It’s also possible to enter the program with an associate’s degree and RN experience. Individuals with a master’s degree can also prepare to enter this field by earning a post-graduate certificate.
The Wilkes PMHNP program typically takes 28 months to complete. In addition to completing two residency visits and their coursework, students must have 500 clinical hours to graduate. The coursework covers 15 courses, including advanced pathopsychology, advanced pharmacology, diagnostic reasoning, clinical modalities in advanced psychiatric mental health nurse practice, and advanced practice in psychiatric-mental health nursing. Wilkes University offers an accredited online program, enabling you to complete your studies from any location.
Manage your studies with self-care.
Graduate studies can be demanding and stressful, but you can manage your stress and promote self-care with different types of massage therapy, including remedial massage. Massage therapy is a holistic treatment. Remedial therapists provide relaxing massage, reducing back pain, treating a stiff neck, and managing injuries. Remedial therapists offer deep tissue massage as part of their treatment plan and use targeted massage to reduce muscle tension and improve your range of motion.
When you enter your career as a PMHNP, you’ll benefit if you learned to manage your self-care during your studies because you’ll have strategies in place to maintain your physical and mental well-being.
PMHNPs are mental health professionals with master’s degrees in their field. These practitioners evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients with mental health issues. There’s a high demand for qualified practitioners, including PMHNPs, ensuring graduates have strong job prospects. PMHNPs also earn substantial salaries and work in a field where they can improve the quality of life for their patients.
